Geography of India (Part -I) (UPSC)

Total Questions: 50

21. The January isotherm taken as a basis for dividing India into tropical and subtropical zones is: [1997]

Correct Answer: (a) 21°C
Solution:As per "Khullar", the isotherm line, which divides the India North-South into almost two equal parts in 20°C. The isotherm of 20°C runs roughly parallel to tropic of Cancer. So nearest option is (a) 21°C
Isotherms are lines drawn on a map to connect places that share the same temperature at a specific time or over a given period. They help in visualising temperature distribution across regions. For instance, if a location in South America and another in Central Africa record the same temperature, they can be linked by an isotherm on a world map. Such maps, called Isothermal Maps, make it easier to study climate patterns and temperature variations.

22. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer: [1997]

List-I (Minerals) List-II (Typical areas of occurrence) 
A. Coal1. Bhandara
B. Gold2. Karanpura
C. Mica3. Hutti
D. Manganese4. Nellore

कूट:

ABCD
(a)1324
(b)2341
(c)3412
(d)2143
Correct Answer: (b)
Solution:Coal is found in Karanpura of Jharkhand. Gold is found in mines of Hutti in Karnataka. Mica is found in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. Manganese is found in Bhandara of Maharashtra.
Coal remains central to india's energy security architecture, supplying 55% of total energy needs and 72% of electricity generation. Amidst global uncertainties and rising energy demands, recent reforms-especially under the revised SHAKTI Policy-aim to make coal allocation more transparent, efficient, and future-ready, transforming the sector into a key enabler of Atmanirbhar Bharat

23. The Alamatti is on the river: [1997]

Correct Answer: (c) Krishna
Solution:The Alamatti dam is build on the river Krishna in Karnataka. It is a multi-purpose project. The water is used in canal irrigation and hydroelectric production.
About Krishna River
  • It is a river of south-central India.
  • One of India's longest rivers, it has a total course of about 800 miles (1,290 km).
    Course:
  • The river rises in western Maharashtra state in the Western Ghats range near the town of Mahabaleshwar, not far from the coast of the Arabian Sea.
  • It passes through the Indian states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh and meets the Bay of Bengal at Hamasaladeevi in Andhra Pradesh, on the east coast.
  • The Krishna River Basin extends over an area of about 258,948 sq. km, which is nearly 8 percent of the total geographical area of the country.
  • It is bounded by the Balaghat range on the north, by the Eastern Ghats on the south and the east, and by the Western Ghats on the west.
  • The principal tributaries joining Krishna are the Ghataprabha, the Malaprabha, the Bhima, the Tungabhadra, and the Musi..

24. Consider the map given below: [1997]

The predominant languages spoken in the areas marked A, B, C and D are respectively:

Correct Answer: (c) Brajbhasha, Awadhi, Bhojpuri and Maithili
Solution:According to the given map the area marked 'A' is Mathura area of Uttar Pradesh, where Brajbhasha is spoken. 'B' is marked by Faizabad of U.P., and the language spoken is 'Awadhi'. 'C' area is 'Arah' area of Bihar where 'Bhojpuri' is spoken. 'D' refers to north Bihar where 'Maithili' is predominantly spoken.

25. The canal-carrying capacity of Farakka is: [1997]

Correct Answer: (c) 40,000 Cusecs
Solution:The canal carrying capacity of Farakka barrage is 40,000 cusec. Farakka barrage is a 2245 metre long barrage across the river Ganga.
Canals are waterway channels, or artificial waterways, for water conveyance, or for servicing water transport vehicles. They carry free surface flow under atmospheric pressure and can be thought of as artificial rivers.
Canals are a human-made waterway that allows boats and ships to pass from one body of water to another. Canals are also used to transport water for irrigation and other human uses.
There are two types of canals: waterways and aqueducts. Waterways are the navigable parts of a body of water and can be located within a bay or open sea, can connect two or more water bodies, or may even form networks within a city. Aqueducts are used exclusively to transport water for drinking, agriculture, and hydroelectric power.
Canals, channels, and reservoirs constructed, maintained, or controlled by the State Government for the supply or storage of water.

26. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched? [1997]

Correct Answer: (d) Sundari : West Bengal
Solution:Sundari tree is found in Sundarban area of West Bengal. Sundarban is a largest wetland area in the world. Sundarban got its name itself due to abundance of 'Sundari' tree in this area.
About Sundarbans
  • Largest Tidal Mangrove Forest: Covers approx 10,000 sq. km, with 40% in India and 60% in Bangladesh.
  • Boundaries: Bordered by the Muriganga River (west) and Harinbhanga and Raimangal Rivers (east).
  • Global Recognition: Declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1989, a Tiger Reserve in 1973, a Ramsar Site in 1992, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
  • Dynamic Eco-geography: Tidal actions deposit silt, elevate riverbeds, and create new islands and creeks.
  • Unique Vegetation: Named after the Sundari tree (Heritiera fomes), dominating its mangrove forests.
  • Unique Adaptations: Specialised roots (Pneumatophores) that grow above the soil surface, enabling respiration in waterlogged, oxygen-poor conditions.
  • Rich Faunal Diversity: Home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, Saltwater Crocodile, River Terrapin, Olive Ridley Turtle, Ganges River Dolphin, Hawksbill Turtle, and Mangrove Horseshoe Crab.

27. Consider the map given below: [1997]

The place marked A, B, C and D in the map are respectively:

Correct Answer: (c) Rift valley region, Chhattisgarh plain, Chhota Nagpur plateau and Rain shadow region
Solution:The place marked in the given map are:
Marked Option Region Place where found
'A'Rift valley regionNarmada and Tapti
'B'Chhattisgarh plainMahandi river
'C'Chhota Nagpur plateauJharkhand
'D'Rain shadow areaEastern part of
western ghat

28. According to the latest census figures sex ratio in India is: [1997]

Correct Answer: (d) fluctuating
Solution:In the 1981 Census, the sex ratio in India was 934. By 1991 it had declined to 927 per 1000 men. In 2001 Census it rose to 933. This shows that it keeps on fluctuating depending upon various factors. This question was asked in 1997 at that time the correct answer was fluctuating because in the 1981 census, sex ratio in India was 934. By 1991 it declined to 927. In 2001 census it rose to 933 and in 2011 it further rose to 943. So its answer as per 2024 (now) will be increasing.

29. The tribal population in Andaman and Nicobar islands belongs to the: [1997]

Correct Answer: (e) c & d
Solution:
  • The Andaman Islands are home to four 'Negrito' tribes the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa and Sentinelese. The Nicobar Islands are home to two "Mongoloid tribes the Shampen and Nicobarese.
  • The "Negrito tribes are believed to have arrived in the islands from Africa up to 60,000 years ago. All are nomadic hunter-gatherers, hunting wild pig and monitor lizard, and catching fish with bows and arrows. They also collect honey, roots and berries from the forest
  • The "Mongoloid tribes probably came to the islands from the Malay-Burma coast several thousand years ago

30. In the map shown rivers labelled as 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively: [1997]

Correct Answer: (a) Kosi, Gomti, Ghaghara and Gandak
Solution:Kosi, Gomati, Ghagra and Gandak